door locks?????odd

[Huffy76]

Another question for the 94 rodeo...
This truck does not have automatic door locks but on occasion when i open the door with the key...all the door locks open and when i go to lock the door...all the doors will lock but the strange thing is that it does not happen all the time.
So is there a way for this to happen everytime?
Thanks

[Nakidgun]

I have a 94 also that I just bought a while back. The door locks take a little 'figuring out'.

All doors closed, I lock my door, the others lock.

I get out, lock my door, the other doors lock, and I hold the door handle while shutting the door....all doors locked.

However, I open my door, my girlfriend opens her door, I lock the doors and shut my door ( holding my door handle ) - truck should be locked - But, my girlfriend hasn't shut her door yet and when she does, her door unlocks. I have to wait for her to shut her door first.

When you shut a locked door WITHOUT holding the door handle, the door will UNLOCK. I guess this is to prevent locking your keys in the car.

Also, locking the doors DOES NOT lock the tailgate - you have to do that manually with the key.

[Huffy76]

Thanks for the info...I just need to figure out why it does not happen all the time..must be something wrong with the mechanism or wiring.

I just bought my rodeo is there anything I need to watch for or worry about...it has 97,000 miles on it. Thanks

[Nakidgun]

I haven't had mine very long either. Searching all the Isuzu forums I could find, I don't see hardly any common problems to watch for. One I see common is that the V6 is prone to burn oil, so you might want to keep an eye on that. Mine doesn't burn or leak any at all.

Mine is a 94 with 116,000 miles and I've been real happy with it so far....just a few things it needs like new brake pads, new shocks and such like that. Standard stuff. Check the fluids, be sure to check the trans, differentials, and transfer case. Maybe change if they look old or dirty. The rear end might be limited slip ( mine is ) so be sure it has the right oil/additive in it if you change it. Also, the timing belts are supposed to be changed at 60,000 and 120,000 miles. If you plan on keeping it for a long time you might consider changing those sometime in the near future. If you have a 4x4, check the front CV boots for cracks. Also, you might want to have the front wheel bearings and locking hubs serviced. Although, since this is a part-time 4wd, they don't get much use unless you are off-roading a lot so those are not critical.

I had two Jeep Grand Cherokees before this and, although those are nicer vehicles by far, they are prone to have a lot of different problems. Many of them expensive fixes. By comparison, I'm pretty happy with this little 4X4 Rodeo so far. Seems to be a pretty tough and reliable little truck.

[Huffy76]

I think my slip differential fluid needs to be changed bc there is noise back there when i go around corners...do you know the right oil/additive for this to be changed?
Fixed the 4x4 problem..works great now
Thanks for the info

[Nakidgun]

The differential takes standard gear oil plus some additive. Not sure what, you can ask at the auto parts store and they can tell you. The rear end noise could be that - the limited slip - but usually they don't make any noise. Could also just be some brake chatter from the brake pads being a little loose - that's nothing to worry about or even needs to be fixed. Disc brake pads are have a little 'play' in them and they are usually held in place by a little metal clip to eliminate chatter. Sometimes the clip comes loose and that allows some movement of the pad. Nothing to worry about.....UNLESS....there is some other problem under there.

[kegard]

Originally Posted by Nakidgun

Also, locking the doors DOES NOT lock the tailgate - you have to do that manually with the key.

Does anyone know what the point of the rear gate unlock button on the dash is used for? If I press it I still have to press the lock button on the tailgate to get the glass to go up. If I lock the button on the tailgate and then press the dash button nothing happens either.

Isn't there any way to lock and unlock the gate and glass w/o having to lock the tailgate lock?

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by kegard

Does anyone know what the point of the rear gate unlock button on the dash is used for? If I press it I still have to press the lock button on the tailgate to get the glass to go up. If I lock the button on the tailgate and then press the dash button nothing happens either.

Isn't there any way to lock and unlock the gate and glass w/o having to lock the tailgate lock?

Thats odd. My dash button pops the glass whether its locked or not.